Arsenal Plot January Move for Argentina Midfielder - Report

Arsenal are reportedly preparing a January move for Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia, who has also been a target for fellow Premier League clubs Newcastle United and Norwich City.

Lucas Biglia's agent has revealed the Argentine wants to leave Anderlecht in January.

The Mirror reports that the north London club are keen on signing the Argentine, with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger monitoring Biglia for sometime now.

Wenger has long been looking for replacement for Alex Song who completed a move to Barcelona during the summer of 2012. Mikel Arteta and versatile but injury-prone French international Abou Diaby are the only senior players available in the defensive midfielder role at the moment and hence, the addition of Biglia could strengthen the Gunners.

The 26-year-old has made no secret of his desire to leave the Belgian Pro League champions and is now considering possible destinations in order to cement his place in his national squad for the 2014 World Cup.

"Time is running out. I don't have to be at a big top team, just to a bigger league. I need that if I want to play with Argentina in 2014 at the World Cup. If I arrive in Argentina my manager will pick me up at the airport. I have asked him to tell me in Buenos Aires what my options are. I hope to begin after New Year's Eve. In England, Spain and Italy there is not a real winter break. It's clear Spain and Italy are dream destinations but I won't close the gate on Russia," Biglia explained.

Arsenal will face a tough competition for the signature of the defensive midfielder, especially after Anderlecht's director general, Herman Van Holsbeek, revealed that Italian giants AC Milan are also interested in the services of the Argentina international.

"Milan are interested in Lucas Biglia. He's expressed a desire to move to Italy. We haven't received any offers. I can't rule out the possibility his agent is offering him to other clubs, but our position is clear. The player still has two-and-a-half years to run on his contract. Obviously if someone pays us enough then we could not say no but we would need eight million euros net," the Anderlecht chief added.